Gallery: Eight to watch in World Cup quarters

Lionel Messi, Argentina: The Argentines haven’t been playing at their best in Brazil, but Messi has made sure that doesn’t matter. He’ll have to be at his best again against the Belgians, who are coming off a breathtaking win over the United States.

Neymar, Brazil: The host nation’s poster boy has lived up to his billing, leading Brazil to its sixth consecutive World Cup quarterfinal. Neymar’s health is a concern, however, after he sustained an injury in the Round of 16.
Neymar, Brazil: The host nation’s poster boy has lived up to his billing, leading Brazil to its sixth consecutive World Cup quarterfinal. Neymar’s health is a concern, however, after he sustained an injury in the Round of 16.
Lionel Messi, Argentina: The Argentines haven’t been playing at their best in Brazil, but Messi has made sure that doesn’t matter. He’ll have to be at his best again against the Belgians, who are coming off a breathtaking win over the United States.
Lionel Messi, Argentina: The Argentines haven’t been playing at their best in Brazil, but Messi has made sure that doesn’t matter. He’ll have to be at his best again against the Belgians, who are coming off a breathtaking win over the United States.

Neymar, Brazil: The host nation’s poster boy has lived up to his billing, leading Brazil to its sixth consecutive World Cup quarterfinal. Neymar’s health is a concern, however, after he sustained an injury in the Round of 16. (Christophe Ena/AP)
Neymar, Brazil: The host nation’s poster boy has lived up to his billing, leading Brazil to its sixth consecutive World Cup quarterfinal. Neymar’s health is a concern, however, after he sustained an injury in the Round of 16. (Christophe Ena/AP)
Joel Campbell, Costa Rica: Los Ticos have been the Cinderella story of Brazil, emerging out of Group D unscathed and holding on to edge Greece. Campbell has played the biggest role in that success; the versatile forward has been the driving force for Costa Rica.
Joel Campbell, Costa Rica: Los Ticos have been the Cinderella story of Brazil, emerging out of Group D unscathed and holding on to edge Greece. Campbell has played the biggest role in that success; the versatile forward has been the driving force for Costa Rica.
James Rodriguez, Colombia: No Falcao, no problem. Rodriguez leads the World Cup in scoring thanks to what will most likely stand as the best goal of the tournament against Uruguay.
James Rodriguez, Colombia: No Falcao, no problem. Rodriguez leads the World Cup in scoring thanks to what will most likely stand as the best goal of the tournament against Uruguay.
Thomas Muller, Germany: The German’s leading scorer has been relatively quiet since opening the tournament with a hat trick against Portugal. Muller did, however, score the winner against the USA and will need to be equally heroic against a tough French squad.
Thomas Muller, Germany: The German’s leading scorer has been relatively quiet since opening the tournament with a hat trick against Portugal. Muller did, however, score the winner against the USA and will need to be equally heroic against a tough French squad.
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium: Already one of the world’s best goalkeepers at just 22 years old, Courtois will need to be at his best in the quarterfinals in order to hold off the man known as Messi.
Thibaut Courtois, Belgium: Already one of the world’s best goalkeepers at just 22 years old, Courtois will need to be at his best in the quarterfinals in order to hold off the man known as Messi.
Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands: Sure, Arjen Robben has been the key to the Dutch offence, but that’s to be expected. Sneijder, however, is the Netherlands' wild card. If both he and Robben are playing at their best, look out world.
Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands: Sure, Arjen Robben has been the key to the Dutch offence, but that’s to be expected. Sneijder, however, is the Netherlands’ wild card. If both he and Robben are playing at their best, look out world.
Raphael Varane, France: While Les Bleus’ offence has been on display in Brazil, it will be France’s defence that will be tested by the high-powered Germans. The 6-foot-3 centre back will play a major role in shutting down Muller, Ozil and company.
Raphael Varane, France: While Les Bleus’ offence has been on display in Brazil, it will be France’s defence that will be tested by the high-powered Germans. The 6-foot-3 centre back will play a major role in shutting down Muller, Ozil and company.

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